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GY 111: Physical Geology
(3 hours lecture; 1 hour lab)
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Physical Geology examines the composition, structure and processes that operate on and in the Earth. These images are a small sampling of what GY 111 will cover.
Various photos credits. |
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Information Station:
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WHAT IS GEOLOGY?
Put simply, geology is the study of the Earth and geologists study the Earth. Lots of disciplines claim to do this (including, biologists and geographers), but only geologists study everything, about our planet - inside and out. Geologists study rocks and minerals and the chemical processes that form them. Geologists hunt for valuable resources like precious metals (gold, platinum, silver etc.), gems (diamonds, rubies etc.), base metals (copper, tin, lead), rare earth elements, oil, natural gas and even water. Geologists study volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and strive to develop means to protect people from them. Geologists study the sand on the beach, the ice comprising glaciers, the water flowing in rivers as well as the water below our feet. Geologists even study extraterrestrial objects like planets, planetoids and asteroids.
Right now, one of the most topical subjects that geologists are studying is "global warming" and climatic change. Because geologists understand the past, they are the most qualified discipline to assess any future ramifications of our changing climate.
So all in all, geologists are one of the most employable groups of individuals on the planet today, and at the present time, there is a severe shortage of geologists. If you are interested in a rewarding, profitable and mentally-stimulating career, consider geology. If you want more information about Geology at USA, contact one of the Geology Faculty.
GY 111 COURSE OVERVIEW
In order to be a good geologist (and at USA, we only produce good geologists), you need to take a lot of courses. GY 111 is the first of these. It introduces you to many important topics, but mostly at an elementary level. Geology requires a fundamental understanding of all basic sciences and in GY 111, you will be introduced to aspects of chemistry, physics and biology. But fear not! We teach you what you need to know at a level that all students find comfortable. In fact, many students swear that they get more relevant science content in GY 111 than in all of their other science classes combined.
So what are the topics that we cover in GY 111? They include:
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Crystal Chemistry
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Formation of minerals and gemstones
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Plate Tectonics
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Volcanoes and igneous rocks
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Weathering and erosion
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Soils
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Sedimentary environments and sedimentation
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Metamorphism and rock deformation
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Mountain building
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Geological time
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Folding and faulting
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Map interpretation
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economics (ores, oil, natural gas and groundwater)
WHY TAKE GY 111?
Most USA students require a two or three class sequence of science courses with labs. Your choices include BLY 101/102, BLY 121/122, CH 131/132, GEO 101/102, PH 114/115 and a few others. If you need a specific lab sequence (e.g., many students require CH 131 and 132 for their major), take it. If, however, your degree allows any lab science sequence, consider the benefits of GY 111 and the companion course GY 112 (Earth History). Both are quality science classes that might better suit your personal interests and academic schedule. Consider these advantages with our GY 111/GY 112 classes:
- no placement exams (we teach you what you need to know from the ground up)
- small classes (typical class size are 30 or fewer students; teachers get to know you by name)
- excellent teacher-student ratios in labs (1 teacher + 1 qualified TA in each lab of 30)
- patient and enthusiastic and faculty
- award winning faculty (GY 111 instructors were awarded Arts and Sciences Teaching Awards in 2005 and 2007)
- diversified and varied assessment means in most classes
- numerous class offerings in each semester including Baldwin County
- field trip opportunities (national and international)
and in case we haven't stressed it enough;
- interesting, relevant material (including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis etc.)
THE TEACHERS
All of the Geology Faculty teach sections of GY 111, but their offerings differ semester by semester. For the 2007-2008 academic year, GY 111 is offered by the following faculty during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (Sat - Saturday class; BC - Baldwin County class):
Interested in what students think of the GY 111 instructors? Then visit these internet evaluation sites:
 Professor Performance.com
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Grade my Professor on MySpace.com |
FAQ
Q. I am terrible at science. Is GY 111 hard?
A. No one is terrible at anything. If you found science classes at high school "hard" it's likely that you weren't interested in the course you took or that it's instructor was less than ideal (a too common problem these days). GY 111 is NOT easy, but because it's an interesting course, students usually find it less frustrating than other classes.
Q. Do I have to take GY 111 and GY 111L in the same semester?
A. Yes. You need to enroll in a GY 111 lecture and a GY 111L lab in the same semester, but it doesn't need to be taught by the same instructor. Choose the lecture slot and the lab slot that best suits you.
Q. Do GY 111 classes have attendance policies?
A. Just about all sections do and the reason why is simple: students who attend classes do better than those who don't. You can't get all of the important information required for GY 111 just from reading a textbook. All of the instructors are practicing geologists which means that they have personal insight about geological topics that books can never equal. Ultimately, we want you to do as well as possible here at USA (particularly in GY 111), so we stress attendance in our classes. By the way, most instructors in other disciplines feel the same way.
Q. What are the lectures like?
A. Most faculty that teach GY 111 use a combination of PowerPoint lectures and standard "chalkboard" lectures with a splattering of other media presentations (e.g., videos), but it does vary from instructor to instructor. Contact the instructor you are interested in to discuss their particular style or read the student comments at one of the many web evaluation sites.
Q. Are the tests hard?
A. Some students would say YES!, but a surprising number (those that actually study?), say no. Overall most students agree that our tests are fair.
Q. Is there a curve?
A. Do you mean are the grades "adjusted" to fit a normal curve? Most instructors do not do this because they do not have to. See Dr. Haywick's GY 111 website for his grade distribution over the past several years. His data are pretty typical for GY 111 classes.
Q. Will GY 111 count toward my major/minor?
A. Several majors require GY 111 and/or GY 112, but even if yours doesn't, both GY classes count as lab science classes for the State General Education requirements. GY 111 and 112 are both required for a minor in geology. The minor requires 12 hours of GY classes after GY 111 and GY 112 (3 or 4 additional classes)
Q. What is the workload like?
A. It's reasonable. You are strongly advised to keep up with any reading assigned and to do assignments as soon as possible (typical advice from any instructor in any class). The most common workload issue is falling behind in lab material. In order to identify rocks and minerals, you need to use your lab time effectively and to do additional lab study when necessary. Problems arise when students leave the lab early, or "goof" off in the lab and fail to get through all the rocks and minerals before lab tests. Cramming for a test the night before is not the best study mechanism
Q. Is there a required text book for GY 111. Is there a required lab manual for GY 111L?
A. Most instructors require a text for GY 111, but Doug Haywick does not and others are considering dropping the requirement too. Contact your instructor to see what their policy is at this time. There is a lab manual for GY 111L, but it is an "in-house" publication meaning it is relatively cheap. You can purchase it from the USA Bookstore or download it free chapter by chapter.
Q. Where can I get student evaluations for this class?
A. Ask around. Your fellow students usually provide honest opinions about the classes they have taken. Otherwise, visit anyone of the popular web evaluation sites.
Q. Are there SI or review sessions for exams in GY 111?
A. Yes. Qualified student TAs and instructors regularly schedule review sessions prior to lab exams. Some instructors also dedicate lecture slots for review sessions prior to midterm and final exams.
Q. Are tutors available to help with GY 111?
A. Yes. Qualified geology majors can help you for a reasonable fee.
Q. If I do well in the lectures but not in the lab, can I repeat just the lab class in a subsequent semester?
A. One hopes that this won't be necessary, but yes, if you need to repeat either the lab or the lecture, you can do so in a subsequent semester.
Q. Where can I get answers to other questions?
A. E-mail a geologist!
Answer my questions please!
This page is
maintained by Dr. D. Haywick. Please feel free to email
him if you have any questions concerning it.
url: http://www.usouthal.edu/geology/GY111.htm |
What is geology? 
Dr. David Allison 
University of South Alabama